[Mock] Essay Paper for UPSC Mains-2016: [ By Mrunal ]

Instructions

Write two essays, choosing one from each of the following sections A and B in about 1000-1200 words each (2 x 125 = 250 marks)

Word limit, as specified, should be adhered to.

Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.

The essay must be written in the medium authorized in the admission certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this question-cum-answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in medium other than authorized one.

3. Can we become “Modern” without becoming “Western”?क्या हम ‘पाश्चात्य’ बने बिना ‘आधुनिक’ बन सकते है?Context: Visit of Singapore PM, how they managed to do it within one generation. Death of Lee Kuan Yew in 2015.

SWADESHI mode of development- because, if we are dependent on first world aid for poverty, then our war-preparedness may be hampered by whatever preconditions they dictact about controlling nuke/missile development.

If India-Pak both are prosperous, then demand for goods, economic ties will strengthen. Then war less likely, because easier to break ‘strategic/peace alliances’ than ‘economic alliances’.

Conclusion (can end with quote)

The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war.Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

Poverty elimination and peace should be the priority of India, but so should be the preparedness for war.

Essay Keypoints: Identity groups

Context:

Indian: Patel-Jat-Maratha demands for reservation; Assam Bandh by 6 castes that want to be included in ST-list.

World: Trump’s whole election propaganda that White people are facing all troubles due to Mexican and Black; anti-refugee parties in EU esp. Germany.

Introduction (can start with definition)

Definition: Identity group are made up of members of certain social groups based on ethnicity, caste, position, language, gender, sexual preference etc.

Purpose: People form such groups to attain empowerment, representation and recognition. Want to recover from previous exclusion and denigration in socio-economic plateau.

They pose Challenge when

Issue

Challenges

Linguistic groups

demanding economic boycott, separate states, anti-migrant policies:

Tensions between Maharastra and Karnataka over the district of Belgaum

USA: black groups demanding ban on Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn for the use of ‘n-word’.

Internal dialogue denied

Not all members of a particular group may be prescribing to all things.Yet, stereotype image portrayed about the entire identity group. Leads to police brutality, airport check, negative campaign in media and movies.